DW Traineeship 2028: Paid Journalism Training in Germany

Applications are open for the DW Traineeship 2028, an 18-month bilingual journalism programme at Deutsche Welle.

The programme runs from 3 January 2028 to June 2029, with training in Bonn and Berlin. It combines newsroom experience with practical instruction for aspiring journalists and people moving into journalism from other professions.

Salary and training

Trainees receive a monthly salary that increases during the programme:

These are gross amounts, before tax and applicable deductions.

Training includes multimedia storytelling, data journalism, television presentation and working with artificial intelligence. Participants learn through seminars, workshops and practical experience at DW’s German centres and international offices. 

Number of places

DW will select 12 trainees for the 2028–2029 programme. Official programme announcement

Eligibility criteria

DW welcomes applicants of all nationalities and ages.

You need a university degree, college degree or completed apprenticeship. Your language skills must meet one of these routes:

• Native speaker of a DW language: excellent English and good German.
• Native English speaker: good German.
• Native German speaker: excellent English.

DW also looks for creativity, social-media expertise and the ability to work in a team under deadlines. Official eligibility requirements in the vacancy

Your degree or vocational training must be completed by the start of the traineeship. Application portal

Experience clarification: The vacancy lists initial journalism experience, while DW’s news announcement says previous journalism experience is not compulsory. Applicants should review both and include relevant work samples where available. DW vacancy · DW announcement

Documents to prepare

DW’s application checklist requires:

• A motivation letter: In German or English, no more than 700 words, using Arial 10 and 1.5 line spacing, dated and signed.
• Two CVs: One in Europass format and another in a format of your choice.
• Qualification certificates: Relevant university or vocational-training documents.
• Up to three work samples: Your own video, audio, written or social-media work. Published and unpublished work is accepted, in DW programme languages.
• A completed questionnaire and application video: Follow the instructions provided after registration.

Language certificates, internship certificates, employment references and a recommendation letter may also be included where available. Official document checklist

The application portal additionally asks foreign applicants for a passport copy and, where applicable, a residence permit. Official application form

How to apply

1. Open the application portal. Register or sign in to your existing profile.
2. Complete your details and upload your documents.
3. Read the confirmation email. It contains instructions for the questionnaire and video.
4. Complete both tasks and upload them before the deadline.

Registration alone does not complete your application. DW accepts applications through its online portal; documents sent by email will not be processed. Application instructions

Application deadline

17 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET (GMT+1), German time.

Your application, including the questionnaire and video, must be complete by this deadline. Official deadline

Selection process

DW’s published selection guidance describes three stages:

1. Review of submitted applications.
2. An online assessment for approximately 50–60 shortlisted applicants.
3. A final group of around 20 candidates, followed by DW management’s selection decision.

Assessments cover writing, discussion, creativity, teamwork and language skills. Follow DW’s application communications for the schedule applicable to this intake. Official selection guidance

Official information and application

• Programme information: DW Traineeship 2028
• Current vacancy: DW-Volontariat / DW Traineeship 2028
• Apply online: DW application portal
• Application documents: Official document checklist